Going Down
Critics say the National Park Service's plans for the Washington Monument have reached new depths. Here's a groundbreaking idea: Keep piling on the dirt.
Cover Story
How much can you teach to an elevator full of people in roughly 70 seconds? The Washington Monument's knowledgeable guides provide the answer more than 50 times a day: nothing.
Nevertheless, they keep trying. Thanks to the elevator ride, day after day, year after year, millions of visitors to the monument receive two brief lessons on the obelisk's history—an ascending and a descending version.
On the way up, tourists get the basics, which include the monument's height—555 feet—date of completion—1888—and number of steps—896.
On the trip down, the elevator slows to give viewers two predetermined peeks of the monument's interior, as revealed through the translucent panels on either side of the elevator. Compared with its bland exterior, the inside of the Washington Monument displays a bowl of visual candy: 193 memorial stones honoring George Washington decorate the walls. During the elevator fly-by, the stones rush together in a geologic blur.
So it has gone for decades: With fast-talking delivery worthy of an auctioneer, the guides, National Park Service rangers, have attempted to present all the fun facts about the monument in the span of a commercial break.
Now they want more time with their
customers. ... Continued 
Issue of Feb. 21 - 27, 2003
News and Features
- Going Down
Cover Story - Doggie Treats
Feature - Get the "Fuck" Out
The City - 5537 Jay St. NE
The City - A Clean Sweep for Southeast
The City - Accelerate Your Death
The Mail - Whine Spectator
The Mail - Bike Hikes
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Music Review - Loose Fur
Music Review - Landlocked
Music Review - The Life & Times of Laddio Bolocko
Music Review - Summerteeth
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Music Review
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